Pippin, Guard of the Citadel MTG Card


Generates card advantage, improving hand quality and impacting battlefield plays positively. Activatables at instant speed add flexibility and unpredictability to your strategy. Downsides include discard requirements and a restrictive white mana cost.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Halfling Soldier
Abilities Ward, Vigilance
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Vigilance, ward : Another target creature you control gains protection from the card type of your choice until end of turn.


Cards like Pippin, Guard of the Citadel

Pippin, Guard of the Citadel finds its place in the world of creature cards within the Magic: The Gathering universe. As part of the extensive variety of characters populating the game, Pippin shares similarities with other creature cards that are renowned for their supportive roles. Just like Stoneforge Mystic, which provides equipment card advantages, Pippin can be an asset for strategy building.

Considering the category of supportive creature cards, we see the likes of Veteran Armorsmith. While it may not directly mirror Pippin’s abilities, it bolsters the defense of other creatures, promoting a strong united front. Similarly, Knight of the White Orchid stands out with its ability to retrieve land cards, ensuring a vital mana advantage and thus maintaining pace with opponents’ land development.

Each of these supportive creature cards has distinct functions that enhance gameplay in their unique ways. Whether it’s Pippin or any of his counterparts, selecting the right card to complement your deck’s strategy is crucial and can significantly influence the flow of the game. Pippin’s role within the array of support-oriented creatures resonates with players seeking both narrative charm and utility, making him a refreshing addition to the MTG roster.

Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Veteran Armorsmith - MTG Card versions
Knight of the White Orchid - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Veteran Armorsmith - MTG Card versions
Knight of the White Orchid - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Pippin, Guard of the Citadel by color, type and mana cost

Crystalline Sliver - MTG Card versions
Galina's Knight - MTG Card versions
Niambi, Esteemed Speaker - MTG Card versions
Azorius Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Meddling Mage - MTG Card versions
Pride of the Clouds - MTG Card versions
Deft Duelist - MTG Card versions
Sighted-Caste Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
New Prahv Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Deputy of Acquittals - MTG Card versions
Battlewise Hoplite - MTG Card versions
Dauntless River Marshal - MTG Card versions
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun - MTG Card versions
Lavinia, Azorius Renegade - MTG Card versions
Unsettled Mariner - MTG Card versions
Skycat Sovereign - MTG Card versions
Watcher of the Spheres - MTG Card versions
Dennick, Pious Apprentice // Dennick, Pious Apparition - MTG Card versions
Mistmeadow Witch - MTG Card versions
Kwain, Itinerant Meddler - MTG Card versions
Crystalline Sliver - MTG Card versions
Galina's Knight - MTG Card versions
Niambi, Esteemed Speaker - MTG Card versions
Azorius Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Meddling Mage - MTG Card versions
Pride of the Clouds - MTG Card versions
Deft Duelist - MTG Card versions
Sighted-Caste Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
New Prahv Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Deputy of Acquittals - MTG Card versions
Battlewise Hoplite - MTG Card versions
Dauntless River Marshal - MTG Card versions
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun - MTG Card versions
Lavinia, Azorius Renegade - MTG Card versions
Unsettled Mariner - MTG Card versions
Skycat Sovereign - MTG Card versions
Watcher of the Spheres - MTG Card versions
Dennick, Pious Apprentice // Dennick, Pious Apparition - MTG Card versions
Mistmeadow Witch - MTG Card versions
Kwain, Itinerant Meddler - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Pippin, Guard of the Citadel. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Azorius TempoAzorius Tempo GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Esper MidrangeEsper Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 15 2024
Jeskai TempoJeskai Tempo GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Bant MidrangeBant Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Five-color AggroFive-color Aggro ModernGrand Open Qualifier Prague 2024
Jeskai AggroJeskai Aggro Modern4c Legends Aggro2024 Hunter Burton Memorial Open
Jeskai MidrangeJeskai Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 11 2024
Four-color Some Brand of CerealFour-color Some Brand of Cereal GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 09 2024
Bant TempoBant Tempo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 06 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pippin, Guard of the Citadel boasts a unique ability that when leveraged, can consistently generate card advantage, enhancing your hand and potential plays on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: This card contributes to resource acceleration by providing you with additional benefits which may include summoning tokens or specific synergies that propel you ahead of your opponent in terms of available resources.

Instant Speed: One of the significant advantages of Pippin, Guard of the Citadel is the potential for abilities that can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility and strategic depth to respond to an unfolding game and surprising your adversary at critical moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable downside of Pippin, Guard of the Citadel is its discard requirement to activate certain abilities. This can constrain your play if your hand size is already dwindling, forcing you to make tough decisions about resource management during critical game moments.

Specific Mana Cost: Pippin’s effectiveness is restricted by its specific mana cost, demanding a dedicated slot in a white mana-oriented deck. This cost can prohibit its inclusion in more diverse, multicolored strategies, potentially reducing its versatility across different play styles.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When compared to other creatures within the same mana range, Pippin may not seem like the most cost-efficient option. Players may find that at his mana cost, there are alternative creatures or spells that offer greater impact or better synergies for the same investment or even less, making him a less appealing choice in a mana-tight situation.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pippin, Guard of the Citadel can seamlessly integrate into various deck builds that capitalize on loyal creature cards. Its ability to buff fellow creatures makes it a welcome addition to decks designed around unity and synergy.

Combo Potential: With the inherent traits of Pippin, its combo potential is notable, enabling interactions with other cards that amplify creature abilities or benefit from having a vigilant and ready defense force during both your turn and your opponent’s.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where control and creature-based strategies dominate, Pippin’s steadfast presence on the battlefield offers tangible advantages, keeping pace with the shifting demands of the current meta.


How to beat

Pippin, Guard of the Citadel marks its presence in the battlefield with a unique blend of abilities, reminiscent of utility creatures in Magic: The Gathering. With a skill set focused on defensive tactics, this card adds a layer of protection for other creatures alongside it. Its ability to negate damage from certain kinds of sources requires a different approach when facing it in a game.

Countering Pippin effectively involves bypassing its protective aura. To accomplish this, consider using spells that do not directly deal damage, such as those allowing you to exile or sacrifice creatures. By focusing on non-damage based removals like Path to Exile or Diabolic Edict, you assure that Pippin’s defensive measures are rendered ineffective. Additionally, leveraging board wipes like Wrath of God can help clear the path forward as these spells do not target individual creatures but rather sweep the whole field, including nimble protectors like Pippin.

Understanding Pippin’s strengths is key to developing a successful strategy against it. By adjusting your tactics and incorporating versatile removals into your deck, you can overcome the challenge Pippin poses, keeping the battlefield under your control.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pippin, Guard of the Citadel // Pippin, Guard of the Citadel MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Art Series and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Pippin, Guard of the Citadel // Pippin, Guard of the Citadel and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pippin, Guard of the Citadel // Pippin, Guard of the Citadel Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth Art SeriesALTR 512015Art seriesBorderless
22023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 3262015NormalBorderlessAnato Finnstark
32023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 2182015NormalBlackBartłomiej Gaweł
42023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 6692015NormalBlackBartłomiej Gaweł
52023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth PromosPLTR 218s2015NormalBlackBartłomiej Gaweł
62023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 4382015NormalBorderlessMartina Fačková
72023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 8182015NormalBorderlessAnato Finnstark

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pippin, Guard of the Citadel has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Pippin, Guard of the Citadel card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-06-16 You may choose any card type. The ones that may appear in a normal game of Magic are artifact, battle, creature, enchantment, instant, land, planeswalker, sorcery, and tribal (a card type found on some older cards). Supertypes such as legendary and basic may not be chosen. Subtypes such as Halfling, Aura, and Forest also may not be chosen.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.